We would like to introduce you to Cochin, the capital of Kerala. Located in the most southwestern state of India, Cochin is a truly unique place, with a fascinating history. Originally a fort, this incredible, tiny city has a kaleidoscope of colonial influences - at times you forget where you are. There are little English countryside style cottages, next to whimsical Portuguese churches, as well as Dutch–influenced architecture. Then, on the beach you find the famous, crazy Chinese fishing nets.

We see this beautiful place as a reflection of the waves of Europe’s colonization of the world. The architecture leaves you feeling as though you have experienced so many different cultures at once.

In a place like Cochin, it’s not hard to be irrevocably inspired…we highly recommend it for your next adventure…stay tuned for travel recommendations!

Image via New York Times

From the moment you arrive you are immersed in 1970’s punk culture. The multi-media exhibition illustrates the connection between the d-i-y nature of punk and the “made-to-measure” concept of couture through music, videos, soundscapes and lighting. You find yourself in a world of fashion – from original pieces, to current couture and ready to wear inspired by the tenants of punk – all organized by themes, materials, and techniques. The result is a vivid appreciation for fashion, art, ingenuity, self-expression and, above all, punk.

"Punk" has influenced everything from fashion (thank you Costume Institute for this singular exhibition!) to music, and more - it's hard to imagine the world of art and expression with out it.

Flowers may seem obvious, but that is because they are wonderful! Surreptitiously find out her favorite blooms to make it extra special. We love the gift of botanicals so much that we are hosting The Sill in our flagship store in SoHo. Friday through Sunday you will find unique, easy to care for potted plants, as well as loose stems ready to arrange in one of our chic vase.

Prefer giving experiences in lieu of wrapped gifts? New York is filled with delightful getaways, and one of the best is Great Jones Spa. Get a treatment, or a pass for the day to enjoy the wonderful water lounge. For a more private experience, Erbe Spa in SoHo heals and rejuvenates with products made from organic Mediterranean herbs. Either spa is the perfect place for a couples massage, mother-daughter mani pedis, or the ever decadent facial.

Regardless of your plans, a Mother’s Day brunch is always in order, so be sure to book soon. Our local brunch faves include Balthazar, The Dutch and North End Grill. After all, she probably just wants to relax and spend some quality time with her loved ones.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Surprise her with an everyday luxury, like our signature Peacock Dove Duvet Set. Our designers spent months perfecting this hand-painted print. First they drew inspiration from vintage wall murals and classic chinoiserie, then gave it a modern edge by paring back the palette. Such a labor of love could only exist on the most luxurious 100% cotton, so we hunted down the best mills in Portugal. The sumptuous materialand timeless pattern will please for years to come.

Lovers of all things design, we have a curated collection of swoon-worthy jewelry. Find handmade necklaces and earrings by local jewelers n+a, or pair together unique stacking rings by mother-daughter team Avindy.

Last, if you can wait until the very weekend, as a special Mother's Day Weekend event our flagship store in SoHo is hosting a special Mother's day Pop-Up Shop with The Sill. A local New York City company, The Sill creates beautifully arranged houseplants that are easy to care for and made suit your personal and interior style. Open Friday through Sunday during regular store hours.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Before you go:

- Marfa's weekend is Monday and Tuesday so plan your trip accordingly. If you happen to be there on a Monday or Tuesday, take a side trip to Alpine and/or Marathon.

- It takes 3 hours to drive to Marfa from the closest commercial airport. Midland Airport is closer to east coast destinations but driving from El Paso Airport passes by Prada Marfa Installation.

- Don't go with high expectations for cell phone service or Wi-Fi connectivity. Some establishments have free Wi-Fi, but everything is spotty at best.

Places to stay:

Marfa is also not someplace that you visit for a fabulous hotel experience. There are places to stay that are livable, but each has their pros/cons. Here are 3 options:

Hotel Paisano was built in the 1930s. The Spanish Revival architecture is beautiful, especially the lobby and courtyard. It's easy to imagine James Dean, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor staying there when they filmed the movie Giant. The only thing is, and this is a big only, working at a bedding company doesn't make it easy to stay in hotels with less than comfortable beds with scratchy poly-blend bedding. Even my happy-go-lucky husband mentioned that the bed was a little seedy. But it is…historical?

Thunderbird Hotel is an revamped and updated 50s roadside motel. The rooms are pretty bare bones overall but have some luxury details that make it worthwhile – great, soft 100% cotton sheets and Malin & Goetz toiletries are nice touches. But don't expect friendliness from the hipster staff or working Wi-Fi.

El Cosmico is campground meets Ace Hotel. Instead of traditional "rooms" the choice of accommodations is from a stylish mix of yurts, VW buses and airstream trailers. The gift shop is great but ultimately we decided not to stay because for almost the same price we could have running water at Thunderbird.

Things to do:

Judd. Chinati. Art. Eat. Repeat. That is basically anyone's itinerary in Marfa.

The Judd Foundation "The Block" tour is really good. When Donald Judd moved down to Marfa in the 70s he ended up snapping up a bunch of property and created his own live/work space that spanned a city block. The tour is of his house, studio and library.

The Chinati Foundation was formerly funded by Dia until the 80s when Judd and Dia parted ways. Donald Judd used Dia's funds to amass 340 acres of land to execute his vision of monumental minimalist land works and promote artists he believed in like Dan Flavin and John Chamberlain. For those who suffer from "museum fatigue" and get bored easily, the shorter "Selections Tour" is fine.

Marfa itself is full of contemporary art galleries. Most have sort of unpredictable hours but they are all good and interesting. We liked Exhibitions 2d the best because the owner, Dennis Dickinson, is passionate about the artists he represents.

Where to Eat:

There are a handful of places to eat, we didn’t have a bad meal the whole time.

Cochineal topped our list. They are actually transplanted New Yorkers who used to own a restaurant on the Upper West Side.

Fat Lyles is a food truck (yes, even Far West Texas has not escaped the food truck craze) right across from El Cosmico. Most people who go to Marfa rave about the Food Shark but we loved the Brusselsprout Haystack – a delicious mess of crisp brussel sprouts, crumbled blue cheese on top of a bunch of french fries. It's a flavor explosion.

Art, memorable hotels and flavorful food are the cornerstones of a good vacation, and Marfa was the perfect spring getaway.

The Brooklyn Flea is making its outdoor return! A clear sign that it's finally spring. For six years now the Brooklyn Flea has been one of NYC’s finest attractions. It literally has something for everyone from jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, collectibles, re-purposed furniture, and antiques to donut, hot dog, taco, and sandwich stands. You can easily spend thirty minutes or three hours browsing, shopping and noshing.

We fall in love with a new artists, jeweler, or food-truck every time we visit, but the below are tried and true:

Milk Truck for a swoon-worthy grilled cheese sandwich. Go with the classic ham and cheese, or mix it up with fried egg and caramelized onion.

Uttapam serves up tasty dosas and uttapams (similar to a thick pancake filled with the meat or vegetable of your choosing) served with rice, dal and authentic Indian spices.

Jessica DeCarlo creates delicate, nature inspired jewelry - we love seeing her latest gems.

Heirloom to admire the sustainable, reusable and gorgeous handmade rugs.

Bleeker Street Antiques where you’ll find chic paintings, prints and other decorative items for an affordable price.

Alyssa Ettinger for detailed, authentic handmade decorative accessories.

A day of browsing deserves a treat, so don't miss Dough, they make the most delicious donuts you’ll ever have! Or if your sweet tooth prefers a cooler bite, Blue Marble's organic ice cream is the perfect pick-me-up.

Not all vendors sell every weekend, so be sure to check out the Brooklyn Flea website to see the layout and list of eye-catching & mouth-watering vendors will be there.

Enjoy!

]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:37:12 +0000 http://www.dwellstudio.com/blog/loving-lonny/ Have you seen the latest Lonny Magazine? Entitled “The Kids Issue,” the always-chic magazine features tips for creating a gorgeous family home in addition to their eye-catching spread of abodes. This month Lonny is teeming with inspiration and new designs (like our Martine Settee). We are particularly obsessed with Editor in Chief Michelle Adams’ sky high apartment. Michelle has created a truly unique and personal home by starting with a cohesive palette and then filling it with treasures from her abundant travels. It is so rare find a home that is so expressive and full of personality while maintaining a sense of calm collection - we are so inspired!

Read more for Michelle’s tips and tenants>

Bright colors are replacing the classic black; we see this palette adorning statement furniture (like our plush Martine Settee). From leopard to zebra, animal print is here to stay.

Photo-real and scenic prints pay homage to everything from turn-of-the-century photographs to nature - we see this trend translating to special projects like hand painted murals, custom wallpaper, and top of bed designs inspired by the world around us.

Texture made a statement with quilting, pleating and woven - this trend will beautifully traslate to home.

Traditionally portrayed with lavish gold leaf and vermillion paint we modernized the peacock motif by paring back the detail and palette, giving the design a nod to its historic roots by hand painting the design (think vintage wall mural). We love the luxe meets modern meets classic twist.

Peacock Dove Duvet Set, Peacock Citrine Duvet Set

What do you think of the peacock in design?

Who are your favorite pinners? We would LOVE to know!

We can't wait to examine Sophie's elaborate tucks and pleats, impeccable embroidery and whimsical embellishments up close. This ultra attention to quality and construction is so important to remember in a time when so much focus is on instant-gratification of fashion.

In 1929, Sophie took over as the director of Saks' Salon Moderne, an exclusive haute couture boutique inside the department store that introduced brands like Balenciaga, Vionnet, and Schiaparelli to the states.

In the 1940s, Sophie began selling her own couture designs in the salon. She became known for her ultra-feminine clothing with giant skirts, lots of tulle and a romantic silhouette.

Sophie helped dress many notable women including Marlene Dietrich, Rose Kennedy, and Lady Bird Johnson. In addition she coordinated and organized one of the first showings of American fashion in the 1940s, which morphed into our modern-day Fashion Week.

An intimate fashion show in the Saks Salon.

“Gimbel was an outspoken champion of American fashion,” said Beth Dincuff Charleston, who also curates the Parsons Fashion Archives, which houses the school’s collection of Gimbel garments as well as nearly 10,000 other works that represent a range of styles, time periods and countries.

She helped to popularized many wardrobe staples like bolero jackets, culottes, beaded sweaters paired with ball gowns, and sari dresses.

Sophie helped to lead the American Couture movement during her tenure at the Salon Moderne from the 1930s until its closing in 1969.

A wedding dress created for Saks Fifth Avenue by Sophie that was featured in Vogue.

The exhibition features several garments from the Parsons Fashion Archive that were laboriously crafted by highly skilled artisans who worked in the Salon Moderne workroom

These dresses, gowns and suits showcase Sophie's love of employing delicate techniques like cutting, patternmaking, draping, construction and fitting as well as her use of luxury fabrics and rich color palettes.

We can't wait to check out this stunning show. What are you doing this weekend? We would LOVE to know!

(Images via The Unsewn, Lolly Koon, Parsons and Google.)

Dorothy Draper is absolutely one of the most influential American designers. She is also the muse for many of our current design celebrities. Philippe Stark has riffed off of her Neo-Baroque touches and Kelly Werstler is heavily influenced by her style. We have also paid homage to this great lady and her genius use of stripes with our aptly named Draper Stripe – I have always loved her use of regular stripes as décor.

My favorite Draper space is the floor of the Chrystal Room corridor from the Greenbrier Hotel – a Draper masterpiece.

Love the graphic paint and pops of Kelly Green and Fuchsia here.

Adore the grand lobby of the Quitandinha in Brazil.

Dorothy was modern before all of us. She reinterpreted the classics with bold scale and color. Her interiors were dramatic, cool and not at all what you would expect from a lady who favored a hat with a veil.

All images via Caleton Varney's wonderful book: In the Pink - Dorothy Draper ]]> Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:41:01 +0000 http://www.dwellstudio.com/blog/architecture-world/ We found the most amazing Pinterest board this week - it's filled with stunning images of modern architecture from around the world. Like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which it the tallest building in the world, Zaha Hadid's futuristic Roca Gallery in London and the Studio Gang Architects' Solar Carve Tower in New York. We are completely obsessed!

Who are your favorite pinners? We would love to know!

P.S. Follow us on Pinterest to see what's inspiring our designers.

Denmark: the Danes love to leap off chairs at midnight, hoping to ban all bad spirits in the new year. They also celebrating the new year by breaking dishes. People throw their old dishes on their friends’ doors on New Years and the one with the most dishes outside their door, usually has the most friends.

At midnight in Spain everyone consumes 12 grapes and tries to finish all of them by the time the clock stops chiming.

On New Year's Eve in Puerto Rico everyone throes buckets of water out the window to “clean” the old year out. They also clean their homes and decorate them, to symbolize the “cleaning” of the spirit.

In Belarus, unmarried women compete in games of skill to determine who will get married first in the new year. One game involves setting piles of corn and a rooster before each of the single ladies. Whichever pile the bird approaches first, is believed to be the one who is to be married first.

In South America everyone wears brightly colored underpants. Those who wear red, are hoping for love in the new year. Those who chose to wear yellow, are wishing for money.

So how will you celebrate New Year's? We would love to hear on Facebook!

Meet Anna...

What’s your 9-to-5?

I am a graphic designer and lifestyle blogger, which is a creative mind’s dream. I get to try a little bit of everything. Styling, branding, event design, etc. I am a mom of two little ones and work from home. It’s a learning process of being able to be present to them and get my work done as well. Its fun to see their personalities grow and their own creative side develop.

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Ohio- the Cincinnati and Columbus area, and started college there as well. After my family moved down south, I followed, and the weather sucks you in and doesn’t let you leave!

Where do you live now?

We live in the north Atlanta area. It’s a beautiful part of Georgia where the mountains are to the north of us, and the city right below us.

What’s your decorating style?

I tend to lean towards modern eclectic design. However, since marrying my husband, I have noticed his classic style influencing me more and more.

Tell us about your Modern Thanksgiving board.

I noticed touches of gold creeping their way into many of the pins. I also love natural touches. Evergreen sprigs, pears, and driftwood. Making your guests feel at home with personal touches, adding a little fun to the environment with holiday drinks and appetizers, and of course enjoying each other’s company. This is the overall theme of the board!

Any tips for holiday entertaining?

I have to confess I have hosted many parties, but never a thanksgiving dinner until this year! It will be my first time hosting. I think its important to make the surroundings come alive. Music, good food and drinks, and even just a little decor can do the trick.

How about styling the holiday table? Any good tricks?

If you have one or two elements that tie everything together you can have a little more freedom to mix colors and textures. I realize I kind of style the table in layers. I always start with an inspiration piece and go from there.

What’s your favorite DwellStudio product? How does it fit into your décor plan?

The gold ribbon vases. That is what I call an inspiration piece to make a whole table set up out of.

What are the 3 things you cannot live without?

Well not counting my husband and children (a given!): Music, Sense of humor, and a GPS.

Any go-to host gifts?

I recently bought a pumpkin bread mix and apple butter combo wrapped up nicely for a hostess gift. It’s a fun alternative to a bottle of vino!

Images courtesy of In Honor of Design.

Meet Lindsay!

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from the Pacific Northwest (the Seattle/Tacoma area).

Where do you live now?

I currently live in Eastside Costa Mesa, California.

What’s your decorating style?

I would describe my style as modern with odes to mid-century modern throughout. I love a graphic black and white palette accented with warm, organic wood and hits of bright colors (like DwellStudio citrine!).

Tell us about your Modern Thanksgiving board.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and be thankful for our blessings—a perfect opportunity to balance some more formal, traditional pieces with approachable, comfortable items. I want to include some earthenware items juxtaposed with splashes of gold and sparkle, raw wood paired with high-gloss shine.

Any go-to host gifts?

I am a big fan of plants; flowers die, but the plant can be kept for years. I love succulents specifically, as they require little watering and care. I’ll choose to personalize the gift to the recipient through selecting the right planter or adding a cute tag or garden marker.

Any tips for holiday entertaining?

I’m a planner; I like to have most of the items completed or delegated prior to the event, however, I try to remember to give myself grace during the event. I want to spend quality time with my guests, not be stressing over the preparation or presentation of the next dish.

What’s your favorite DwellStudio product? How does it fit into your décor plan?

I have been on the hunt for the right artwork for our apartment; I have framed pieces and some canvases and prints, but I’ve been oogling over the Folded Brass Wall Décor piece. I love it’s layered, graphic shapes in the sculptured brass.

How about styling the holiday table? Any good tricks?

A simple centerpiece. With all the dinnerware and decadent food for Thanksgiving, I like to keep the centerpieces low to avoid visual barriers between guests. A few small pieces down the center should do it—just mix a few votives with small, simple florals or pumpkins and voilà!.

What are the 3 things you cannot live without?

Being a graphic designer my iphone and mac are pretty high on that list, a great lip balm/lipstick, and my precious (and crazy) German Shorthaired Pointer, Hazel.

What’s inspiring you right now?

Textures. I’m so inspired by a mix of textures and how they interplay with one another both in visual and tactile qualities.

A glowing Halloween vignette via The Zhush.

This slouchy, oversized knit via Eat.Sleep.Wear is the perfect shade of mustard for a chilly Halloween night!

The auburns, purples and burnt tones in this Vanessa Paradis image has us dreaming about a bohemian Halloween. Image via Vintage Virgin.

And we're loving the Victorian feel of this gorgeous floral setup via Ruffled

What are your Halloween plans? We would love to know!

P.S. make sure to stop by our Urban Tag Sale next Saturday to hang and shop with Jessica and Danielle of Decorative Traces!

P.S. Today is the last day of our Upholstery Event! Shop the sale >

This season our design team looked to the innovative designs of artist Josef Albers. His clean geometric compositions and color theories were central elements of the Bauhaus design movement. Our team was especially inspired by Albers' Homage to the Square series and his graphic posters from the 1950s and 60s.

Don't you love all the bold colors and graphic lines of Albers' work? We pulled these images straight from our design team's inspiration files!

Image credit (clockwise from top left) Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

His designs even inspired our Frame Rugs and Concentric Square Throws from our new fall collection. Who inspires you? We would love to know!

Shop our Modern Neutrals color story >

A true icon, this mistress of fashion didn't begin her career until she was in her late 30s. She began her foray into the magazine world by writing a humorous column for Harper's Bazaar; she then moved on to take the helm at Vogue. Where it didn't take long for her to transform the magazine's editorials into aspirational look books of edgy glamour. She even re-invented herself post-Vogue by revolunitazing the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This film is sure to be filled with provokative and dazzling anectodtes about Vreeland's life à la mode. We can't wait! What are you doing this weekend? We would love to know!

Our design team developed the Tubular Burst Sculpture based on the elements of our popular Tubular Burst Objet. Its geometric silhouette comes from the modernist qualities of Mid-Century American sculpture and architecture. Asymmetrical proportions, spiky details, handcrafted construction and flashes of gold—this piece will infuse any room with a dose of drama.

Images (clockwise from top left): Our Tubular Burst Objet, Philip Johnson structure, Josiah Mcelheny's Island Universe at ICA in Boston, Ray and Charles Eames molded ply sculpture.

Add a little luxury to your home... shop our newest collection of decorative accessories >

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See our collection of chic decor for the kiddos >

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Born in Hungary in 1906, Eva cultivated a passion for ceramics at an early age, and she maintained her creative drive throughout her prolific career. A consumate artist, Eva constantly sought to challenge and provoke the idea of modern design and beauty. Her pieces are classics in museums throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.

One of her most iconic pieces is this salt + pepper set. Doesn't it look like two people embracing?

Another famous design—her belly-button wall dividers are part of the decor in the lobby of the Standard Hotel in LA.

Her book The Magic Language of Things is a DwellStudio library favorite. Our designers love pouring over the pages filled with Eva's words, designs and inspirations. One of our favorite quotes from Eva on design is, "I have always thought of my own work as a link between the past and the future, not as a break or departure from past styles."

Our new Eva Pillows (named for Zeisel!) from our Fall Collection were inspired by the shapely contours and undulating shadows that are so prevalent in Eva's work.

We're inspired by... Eva Zeisel! Who are you inspired by right now?

P.S. Stay in touch with us...

on Facebook

on Twitter

on Instagram

on Pinterest

and Tumblr

P.S. Need a home makeover this fall? Enter our Update Your Space Sweepstakes for a chance to win $5,000 in DwellStudio product!

From our Facebook post, we adore the use of childhood sketches and bold graphics in this room via Lonny Magazine.

Personal photos set in chic frames make a sweet gallery wall for the nursery via A Cup of Jo.

Op-art contrasts with horizontal stripes and comic book prints via Martha Angus.

Tradition with a twist in this modern kids' room combines velvety, tufted headboards, Italian Renaissance-style paintings and childhood sketches. Image via Nuevo Estilo.

And one from our files... at DwellStudio we love to mix our animal heads, graphic prints and kids' illustrations for an inspiring gallery wall escape! (P.S. this image is a sneak peek of our new kids' bedding).

Start curating a gallery wall for your little one with our collection of statement-making artwork available in The Art Shop >

Who are some of your favorite pinners? We would love to know!

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P.S. Have you entered our Update Your Space Sweepstakes for a chance to win $5,000 in DwellStudio product!

Channel natural elements with organic forms. Image via Let Me Be Inspired

Play with dramatic proportions to make a modern sculpture statement like this living room via The Brick House.

Dress up the modern dining room with an elegant chandelier a la Kate and Andy Spade via The Selby.

Layer metallic lamps into a darkly hued room for tonal contrasts. Image via Rue Magazine.

See our full collection of modern lighting options and view more of our favorite ways to layer with lighting on Pinterest >

Who are some of your favorite pinners? We would love to know!

Sneak Peek Answer: It's the image at the top right corner. Stay tuned for our newest DwellStudio for Robert Allen collection debuting this fall!

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